Electric vacuum cleaning- machine



Sept. 9, 1924.

M. S. WRIGHT ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANING momma Filad'sept- 2 .1917 6Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 9, 1924. 1,507,879

M. S. WRIGHT musc'rmc VACUUM CLEANING cams.

rum Sept. 25. 191'? s Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 9, 1924.

M. S. WRIGHT ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25. 1917 6Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 9, 1924.

1,507,879 M. S. WRIGHT ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANING CHIN! F1104 Sept. 25.1917 6 ShOOtQ'ShQ'Ot 5 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 u I "u 6 WW. 9 T Raj W M. 5w M miv MI. M wk 5* 5w Sept. 9 1924.

Patented Sept 9, 1924,

UNITED STATES v 1 it 1,507,879

PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS S. WRIGHT, O1? WORCEST MASSAGHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO M. S. WRIGHTApplication filed September To c727 wisom it concern:

Be it known that I Mounts ti i Vnrerrr, citizen of the United States,rcs'ding at ll orcester. in the county of forecaster and State oflVl-assachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectric Vacuum Cleaning Machines, of which the followine is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying d To wing.

This invention relates to vacuum cleaning machines of theportable type,adapted to be moved over the surface of a floor or the like, and hyn'ieans of suction; cleanse such. surface of dust or dust-ladenparticles. l

More particularly the invention has to deal with a vacuum cleaner of thecharacter just descrihi-id wherein the driving power for the suctioncreating means talres the form of a motou conveniently an electric motormounted directly upon the machine, and one of the objects of theinvention is to produce a machine of this type simple and neat in (lesin and construction, comparatively inexpensive, and highly ef icient andsatisfactory in use.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel andimproved. brushing means operatively associated with the intake nozzleof the apparatus with lflr proved means for imparting the necessarymovement to the brush through the in vdiuin of the motor.

In vacuum tuszichines as heretofore con-- structed wherein a rotatablebrush is cur ployed to operate over the surface, it has been ascertainedthat the suction device, usually a fan, when mounted upon the same endof the motor asthe driving means for the brush usuallv the front end ofthe motor shaft. results in an uneven balancefor the parts, and in manyinstances the drivinn means being: exposed to the incoming dust; thesame will soon become dust laden, thereby decreasing the efficiency ofthe mechanism and resulting; in unnecessary friction and wear upon theparts. Therefore one of the main features of the present inven tion toovercome existingdifficulties and disadvantages inherent in vacuummachines of the portable electric type, and to this end it is proposedto impart the necessary movement to the brush through the medium of adriving connection with the motor SAC'HUSETTS, GQIERIEPORJLTION OFMASSACHUSETTS.

CLEANING 95 19.1.7. Serial No. 193 2091- shaft at a point removed fromthat portion of the shaft adapted to impart the necessary movement tothe fan, and further to so construct and, arrange the driving means forthe brush. shaft that the same is more effectively encased andprotected.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel meansinterposed. between the motor shaft and the brush shaft to reduce thespeed of the brush shaft as compared. with that of the motor shaft, withthe result that while the brush. shaft has impartedthereto the necessarymoven'ient to obtain effective results, the same is saved theunnecessary strain and wear due to the rapid movement which would resultfrom operating the brush at the same speed as the motor shaft. itbeing?) observed in this connection that the motor shaft usually opcrates at a high speed whereby to impart the desirable rapid movement tothe suction crcatinrrmeans, in e. the fan Furtheu the present inventionembodies the i dca of interposing; in the driving mechanism between themotor and brush, means accessible and operable from without the casino?of the machine for interrupting the drive between the motor and brushand this without stoppiuo" the machine, or interferin with the continuedoperation of the i or other suction creating: medium.

In the l tter connection, it is proposed to employ a mechanism as thedriving force. or in operati e association with the driv nc force, andsuitable shifting or c utchii mechanism readil. operable at a convenientpoint on the machine, and adapted at will to release the driving: forcefor the brush, and reestablish the same as desired.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel meanswhereby the brush may be readily adjusted relative to the nozazlru andwhereby the brush may at will, in a novel and convenient manner, heapplied. tor and removed from. the machine, for cleansing orotherpurposes.

In the usual construction and arrangement of parts provided, I have hadin mind the improvement generally of machines of the type underconsideration, andin this latter connection the various working parts ofthe apparatus have been constructed and arranged whereby they are moreeflicient in service and more thoroughly protected both while themachine is in use and when the same is idle.

Other features of the invention, and novel details in. the constructionand arrangement of the various parts, will be appreciated from thedescription to follow, which for a clear and comprehensive understandingof the invention, should be considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and wherein isdisclosed for the purpose of illustration, a convenient and satisfactoryembodiment of the invention.

Certain features herein illustrated and described and not claimed aremade the basis of claims in my copending application for Letters PatentSerial No. 121 178, filed September 21, 1916, for vacuum cleanermachines.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a. vacuum cleaningapparatus on a reduced scale embodying my improvements.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation, parts being removed.

Figure 3 is a top plan, parts being bro ken away and other partsremoved.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the front end of the apparatus, partsbeing illustrated in section.

Figure 5 is a rear end elevation, parts being removed.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are detail views of the nozzle and associated partsbroken away.

Figure 9 is a detail view of parts of-the releasable drive connectionbetween the motor shaft, and brush.

l i ith more particular reference to the drawings wherein like referencenumerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the se eral views:

1 is a motor barrel or cylindrical cas 11- having a removable rear endcap and removable enlargement 3 at the forwart end thereof forming fanca which is mounted in any desired n -..nnei hollow nozzle 4, the latterbeing adapted to rest upon the floor or other surface to constitute asupport for the front end of the machine.

The rear end of the machine is preferably supported by means of rollerbearing's or wheels 5, mounted on a suitable shaft 6 having bearings ina frame 7 shaped to conform to the lower surface of the barrel 1. Thesupporting frame 7 also has depending ears 8 forming bearings as at 9for the forked end 10 of a suitable push handle 11, whereby the machinemay in operation be moved to and fro over the surface to be cleaned. Thehandle 11 may be retained in adjusted positions about the axis formed bythe bearings 9 through the medium .of suitable thumb nuts 12 threaded'on the bearings 9. Positioned within the.

barrel 1 is a suitable electric motor 13 having a central drive shaft14: projecting from opposite ends of the motor. Mounted upon the forwardend of said shaft 14 for rotatable movement therewith and in the fancasing 3 is a suitable fan 1.5. The fan casing 1: a suitable flangedoutlet 16 adapted to receive coupling member 17 at the inlet or mouthend of a dust receptacle 18, of any desired material, conveniently asuitable fabric bag, mounted as at 19 upon the handle 11, for removal asdesired. Suitable electrical connections are provided for the motor, thesame includinga flexible conduit 20 leading from the motor andprojecting through the handle 11 and having a plug 21 to fit theordinary plug socket. When notin use the conduit 20 may be supportedupon suitable hangers 22 on the handle. The front end of the fan casinghas a central opening 23 in communication with the interior 24: of thenozzle whereby the dust laden air as picked up at the inlet end of thenozzle, is drawn in by the fan and discharged into the dust bag.

The nozzle 4 is provided with a removable mouth piece or shoe 25 adaptedto engage the surface to be cleansed the said shoe being" convenientlysupported in place upon the body portion of the nozzle substantially asfollows:

A metallic plate 26 conveniently fixed to the body portion of the nozzleby rivets or screws 27. has one or more recesses or apertures 28 adaptedto receive and engage over projecting pins 29 in the removable shoe 25.Likewise similar plates 30 are secured to the nozzle shoe as by rivetsor screws 81, the said plates having one or more recesses or apertures32 to receive and engage over suitable pins 33 mounted upon surface ofthe body portion of e 1. it ill thus be seen that the nozzle shoe may bereadily removed by rearwardly sliding movement whereby to disengage theretaining pins 29 and from the respective receiving apertures therefor.A suitable retaining means for locking the nozzle against separationincludes a substantially U-shaped clamp 3 1, one arm 35 of which engagesthe rear surface of the nozzle and the other 36 the rear surface of theretaining plate 30. The clamp 34 is held in position as by means of athumb nut 37 engaging a threaded pintle or bolt 38 projecting rearwardlyfrom a suit able plate 39 secured to the rear surface of the bodyportion of the nozzle 4.

Positioned within the enlarged lower end of the nozzle 4 is a suitablebrush, preferably in two sections 40 and 41. the brushes includingclosely associated tufts of bristles mounted upon, in any desiredmanner. a shaft 42 mounted for rotatable movement in metallic caps orbearings at a wooden fill.-

mg b oclr 44 being preferably interposed be tween the pinlles 45 of theshaft 42 and the metallic caps or bearings 43. The wooden filling blocksform free bearings for the pintles of the shaft, overcomingthe necessityof oil or other lubricant at: this point in the machine.

The ends of the nozzle are provided with enlarged openings for thereception of the metal caps 43, these openings being formed bycooperating cut-out parts 46 in the body portion of the nozzle 4 and 47in the nozzle shoe. The hearings or openings provided by said cut-outparts are of such a size as to permit of vertical adjustment of thenozzle shaft which latter is conveniently spring supported as by meansof spiral springs 48 positioned in recessed parts of the mouthpiece orshoe and adapted to engage the under surface of the metallic caps 43.Suitable adjustable screws 49 have threaded engagement with the bodyportion of the nozzle and are adapted to engage the upper surface ofsaid metal caps 43 whereby to more accurately position the brush shaftand brush and to limit the vertical movement of the brush over theaction of said spring members 48. This adjustment allows for thetakingalp of any wear of the brush, it being observed that as the brushwears in the course of time, the screws 49 may be turned out a littleand thereby keep the brush in the same position relative to the nozzleinlet or shoe at all times.

Mounted upon the shaft 42 substantially midway of the ends thereof is asuitable pulley 50, the same having a central peripheral groove 51adapted for the reception of an endless drive member conveniently a belt52. In. order to protect said pulley and that portion of the belt whichengages thereover from dust and the like. a suitable housing for theseparts is provided, the same including cooperating sections 53 and 54 onthe body portion of the nozzle and the nozzle shoe respectively.

The preferred means for imparting move ment to the endless belt 52 andin turn the brush shaft 42 will now be described.

Adjacent the rear end of the shaft 14, that is to say, the end of saidshaft opposite the fan supporting part, is a worm 55 adapted to engage aworm gear 56 fixed upon a substantially vertically disposed shaft 57which latter is adapted to rotate in suitable bearings 58 and 59connected by a suitable bar 60 whereby to form a carriage or frame. Astationary frame 61 is sleeved upon the shaft 14, and fixed in anydesired manner as by a removable bolt or screw 62 upon a stationary partof the machine. The lower bearing 59 of the movable carriage or framehas a pivotal connection 63 with the lower end of the stationary frame61 whereby to permit of pivotal movement of the carriage or frame 60 toengage or disenga the worm and gear 55 and 56. The upper bearing 58 ofthe movable carriage or frame has a lateral projection 58 with a recess58" therein, adapted to he engaged by an eccentric a4; mounted upon ahand lever 65 having a pivotal bearing 66 upon the upper end of thestationary frame 61. The lever 65 has a finger engaging terminal no atits upper end, which said upper end of the lever projects through aslotted way 67 in the upper portion of the motor barrel or using 1. Acoil spring 68 secured at one end to the offset lug 69 of the lever 65tends to hold the lever in the position indicated in Figure 9 at whichtime the gear 56 will be in en cement with the worm 55. Nhen the leverno is in reverse position the same is adapted to engage in an offsetpart 70 of the slotted way 6'? whereby to retain the lever in thisposition, and at which time the gear 56 will be out of engagement withthe worm Therefore if the motor shaft is operatcd the shaft 57 will notbe operated to impart the necessary rotation to the endless drive belt52. The said endless drive 52 is adapted to have a twist therein and toengage over a grooved pulley 71 at the lower end of the shaft 57. Themotor barrel is of sulficiont length to accommodate what may be termedthe transmission gear mechanism just described which is adapted to behoused by the cap 2.

It is desirable to enclose and thereby profoot the endless drive belt 52and to this end suitable casing 72 is provided, the same havingsupporting arms preferably formed by a substantially U-shaped wire 73.having bearings at 74 in struclcup ears on said casing 72. The arms ofthe wire have offset upper ends 75 to engage in suitable receiving recsee or apertures in the wheel supporting part of the frame 7. leafspring clamp '76 may also be provided on the inner surface of the casing72 adapted to engage over the wheel shaft 6. The casing 72 at theforward end thereof has offset ears 77 adapted to be cngagcd as byscrews or bolts 78 with the rear surface of the body portion of thenozzle 4. The casing 7 2 cooperates with the cap 2 to form an effectiveenclosing casing or house for the movable parts of the transmission ordrive for the brush.

It is desirable at times to cleanse wall and other surfaces, in whichevent the dust laden air will be introduced into the body portion of thenozzle through the opening 79. as distinguished fronii the shoe or mouthpiece 25. is usual in this type of devices a flexible tube or conduitwith a suitable tool or shoe is adapted to be coupled to the wallsurrounding the opening 79, it being unnecessary to illustrate suchconduit or shoe. The opening 79 will. he usually closed as by a closurecap 80 having an annular flange 81.. and in order to retain said cap inposition, a curved spring wire retaining device 83 may be provided, thesame being pivotally connected at "34 adjacent the top cf the outersurface o t the nozzle, the respective arms of the retaining wire beingadapted to engage beneath the headed ends of screw retaining meanssecured to the outer surface of said nozzle. The free arms of theretaining wire being yieldable the operator by engaging the finger engging terminals 86 will slightly compress the sameto release the armsfrom the retaining screws when the retaining wire may be elevated aboutthe pivotal connection 84 to thereby release the cap 80. I

The operation may he reviewed as follows:

Current being supplied to the motor from any suitable source, the sameis operated to rotate the shaft 14 at the desirable speed to impart thenecessar movement to the fan 15 thereby creating vacuum or suction todraw up the dust-laden air through the nozzle as the shoe 25 is movedback and forth by this handle 11 over the surface to be cleansed.Assuming that it is desired to simultaneously brush the surface to pickup pins, threads or other heavier articles which might not be drawn upunder the action of the suction, the hand lever will at this time be inthe position illustrated in. full lines in Figure 5, which will causeengagement between the gear 56 and the worm 55 which latter is mountedupon the motor shaft to be driven thereby. The movement of the shaft 57will impart the necessary movement to the endless belt 52 and the brushshaft 42 thereby rotating the brush in contact with the surface. Nowassuming it is desired to eliminate the brushing characteristic, this isreadily accomplished without interrupting or interfering with the normaloperation of the device as a suction cleaner by moving the hand lever tothe position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 9. This movement of thelever 65 will tend to tilt the carriage or frame 61 about the pivotalconnection 63 thereby moving the gear 56 laterally and out of contactwith the worm 55. This will maintain stationary the brush and thedriving mechanism therefor. I

The worm and gear driving connection for operating the brush beingdisposed at that end of the motor shaft opposite the fan operating end,tends to balance up the delivery of power and makes the machine runsmoother while at the same time the transmission mechanism will bespaced from the when the nozzle shoe proper may be moved rearwardly andseparated from the body portion of the nozzle. The brush shaft bearin gsand associated parts may then be bodily removed. hen the shoe is inposition the brush may be appropriately adjusted through the medium ofthe screws or bolts 49, the springs d8 tending to normally retain thehearings in contact with the screws 49, as will be readily appreciated.

When it is desired to remove the dust from the dust receptacle or bag18, the latter may be removed by swinging the retaining wire clips 87about their pivotal connections 88 with the bag coupling whereby torelease the wire clips from the retaining flange 89 on the outlet part16 of the fan casing.

What I claim is: V

1. In a suction cleaning machine the combination of a vacuum chamber, anozzle, an elongated rotatable brush in the nozzle,

.a drive shaft a fan in the vacuum chamher, a driving connectioninterposed between the forward end of the drive shaft and the fan, and adriving connection interposed between the opposite end of the driveshaft and brush and connecting with the brush substantially midway ofthe ends thereof.

2. In a portable electric vacuum cleaner, the combination of asubstantially h0rizontally disposed electric motor having a drive shaftprojecting from opposite ends thereof, a casing for the motor, a fancasing mounted upon the front end of the motor casing, a fan mountedupon the forwardly projecting end of the drive shaft of the motor andwithinthe fan casing, a nozzle to engage the surface to be cleansedhaving an upwardly projecting part connected directly to and incommunication with the interior of the fan casing, a rotatable brushcarried by the nozzle, a driving connection between the rearwardlyprojecting end of the motor drive shaft and the brush, said connectionincluding an endless driven member operatively connected with the brushintermedi ate the ends thereof, and projecting beneath the motor casing,intermediate the sides thereof so as to offer no projection therebeyond,and a detachable housing underlying the endless driven member andconnected to the motor casing.

3. In a portable electric vacuum cleaner, the combination of asubstantially horizontally disposed electric motor having a drive shaftprojecting from opposite ends thereof, a casing for the motor, a fancasing mounted upon the front end of the motor casing, afan mounted uponthe forwardly projecting end of the drive shaft of the motor and withinthe fan easing, a nozzle to engage the surface to be cleansed having anupwardly projecting part connected directly to and in communication withthe interior of the fan casing, a rotatable brush carried by the nozzle,an endless belt drive connecting with the brush shaft interme diate itsends, a drive pulley for the op posite end i the belt drive, areleasable driving connection between. the rearwardly projecting end ofthe motor shaft and said drive pulley, said releasable connection beinghoused within the motor casing, and means for releasing said connectionpro jecting through the motor casing.

4. In a portable electric vacuum cleaner, the combination of asubstantially horzontally disposed electric motor having a drive shaftprojecting from opposite ends thereof, a casing for the motor, a fancasing mounted upon the front end of the motor casing, a fan mountedupon the forwardly projecting end of the drive shaft of the motor andwithin the fan casing, a nozzle to engage the surface to be cleansedhaving an upwardly projecting part connected directly to and incommunication with the interior of the fan casing, a rotatable brushcarried by the nozzle, an endless belt drive connecting with the brushshaft intermediate its ends, a drive pulley for the opposite end of thebelt drive, a releasable driving connection between the rearwardlyprojecting end of the motor shaft and said drive pulley, spring meansfor normally holding said parts in one position, and a stop member onthe casing to be engaged by an operative part of said connection to holdthe parts in a reversed position.

5. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of amotor, a fan casing arranged forwardly thereof, a nozzle in directcommunication with the fan casing, a rotatable brush in the nozzle, afan in the fan casing, mounted upon the motor shaft, and an operativedrive connection between the motor shaft and the brush intermediate theends of the latter, said lastmentioned connection being arranged at apoint out of the path of the incoming dustladen air from the nozzle, andincluding a driving member projecting beneath the motor longitudinallythereof intermediate its sides and connecting substantially midway ofthe ends of the brush.

6. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of ahorizontally disposed motor barrel, a roller support for the rear endthereof, a fan casing at the forward end of the barrel, a nozzleconstituting a support for the front end of the machine and having ahollow tubular part connected directly with and in communication withthe fan casing, a rotatable brush in the nozzle, a fan in the fancasing, a motor in the barrel, a connect-ion between one end of themotor and fan, and a releasable driving connection between the oppositeend. of the motor and brush.

7. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of amotor having a drive shaft projecting from opposite ends thereof, a fancasing at the forward end of the motor, a nozzle adapted to engage thesurface to be cleansed and having an integral extension connecting withand in communication with the fan casing, a rotatable brush havingdriving means operatively connected with the rear end of the motorshaft, and a driving connection between the forward end of the motorshaft and fan.

8. I11 an electric vacuum cleaner, the corn bination of a substantiallyhorizontally disposed motor, a fan casing at the forward end of themotor, a vertically disposed intake nozzle, having an inlet at its base,and communicating through its rear wall with said fan casing, saidnozzle being connected directly to the fan casing, a movable brushwithin the nozzle, a fan within the casing connected directly with theforward end of the motor, and driving connections for the brushconnected with the rear end of the motor, whereby to distribute the loadof the latter, the said driving connections projecting beneath the saidmotor.

9. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, the combination of a nozzle, a fancasing, a fan in the casing for drawing the dust-laden air through thenozzle, a rotatable brush within the nozzle, an electric motoroperatively connected with the fan, gear mechanism operativelyassociated with the motor and brush, arranged at apoint without the pathof the dustladen air and offering substantially no obstruction beyondthe top, front and sides of the apparatus, means for enclosing the gearmechanism and means for rendering the said gear connection inoperativeto drive the brush at will.

10. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of amotor,'a fan casing, a nozzle in communication with the fan casing, arotatable brush in the nozzle, a driving connection between the motorand fan whereby the latter is operated at the speed of the motor shaftand a driving con nection between the motor shaft and brush, said lastmentioned connection being dis-- posed at the opposite end of the shaftand including gears having a releasable connec-- tion with one anothersubstantially as for the purpose described, and casing for the motor,which casing also constitutes a housing for said connection.

11. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of ahorizontally disposed motor barrel, a motor within the barrel, a fancasing at the forward end of the barrel, a fan in the casing,operatively connected with the forward end of the motor, a nozzle incommunication with the fan casing, a rotatable brush in the nozzle, agear at the rear endof the motor, a" cooperating gear mounted upon amovable frame whereby to engage and disengage the motor gear, means forenclosing the gears, anda driving connection between the movably mountedgear and the brush, and means operable fromapoint without the barrel andguided by the wall thereof for engaging and disengaging said gears. I

I 12. In an electric portable vacuum cleaning machine, the combinationof a motor, a casing therefor, a fan casing at the front thereof, anozzle having an integral projection connecting directly with the fancasing and in communication with thefan casing, a rotatable brush in thenozzle, a fan in the fan casing adapted to be driven bythe motor, anendless drive member for the brush, and a gear connection within thecasing between said endless drive member and the motor, whereby thespeed or the endless member andbrush is reduced relative to that of themotor, and means projecting through I the motor casing for releasingsaid gear drive connection from the motor whereby to interruptthemovement of the brush without interrupting themovement of the fan.

13. In a. portable electric vacuum clean ing machine, the combination ofa motor having a drive shaft, a nozzle, a brush the nozzle having ashaft mounted for rotatable movement, an endless drive member for theshaft and connected with the latter intermediate the ends thereof, andmeans for operating the endless drive member conip'rising a rotatableshaft, having a pulley for the reception of said endless drive member,and a releasable worm and gear connection between said rotatableshaft and themotor shaft, and a motor barrel enclosing the motor andworm and gear connection.

14. In a portable electric vacuum clean ii'ig machine, the combinationof a motor having a drive shaft, a nozzle, a brush in he nozzle havingashaft mounted for retatable movement, an endless drive member for theshaft, and means for operating'the endless drive member comprising arotatable shaft, having a pulley for the reception of said endless drivemember,a worm and gear connection between said rotatable shaft and themotor shaft, said rotatable shaft beingmounted for pivotal movement intoand out of position to operatively connect said worm and gear, andspring means for normally holding said shaft in one of itspositions ofpivotal adjustment.

15. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of amotor having a drive shaft, a nozzle,a brush in the" nozzle having ashaft. mounted for retatable movement, an endless drive member for theshaft, and means for operating the endless drive member comprising arotatable. shaft, having a pulley for the reception of said endlessdrive member, a worm and gear connection between said rotatable shaftand the motor shaft, said rotatable shaft being mounted for pivotalmovement into and out of position to operatively connect said worm andgear, an enclosing barrel for the motor, an end cap for the barreloverlying said worm and gear connections, and a casing to house saidendless drive member and its operative connection with said rotatableshaft. I

16. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of ahorizontally disposed motor having a shaft projecting rearwardlytherefrom, a worm on the shaft, a dust intake nozzle, a suction chamberin terposed between the nozzle and motor and suction creating means insaid chamber adapted to be operated by the motor, a brush in the nozzle,a vertically extending shaft having a gear to mesh with said worm, apulley on said vertically extending shaft and on the brush shaft, and anendless drive connection between said pulleys.

17. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of ahorizon tally disposed motor having a shaft projecting rearwardlytherefrom, a worm on the shaft, a dust intake nozzle, a suction chamberinterposed between the nozzle and motor, and suction creating means insaid chamber adapted to be operated by the motor, a brush in the nozzle.a vertically extending shaft having a gear to mesh with said worm, apulley on said vertically extending shaft, and on the brush shaft, andan endless drive connection between said pulleys, said verticallydisposed shaft be- 1 ing mounted for oscillating movement whereby toconnect and disengage the worm and gear at will.

18.' In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination ofa suctioncreating means, a nozzle in communication therewith, saidnozzle comprising a body part, and a dust intake shoe to engage thesurface to be cleansed, a brush in the nozzle, a shaft for the brushadapted to have bearings at its ends, between the body part of thenozzle and shoe, and means whereby the shoe may be removed to releasethe brush comprising a plate secured to the body part of the nozzle andhaving recesses, pintles on the shoe to engage said recesses, and areleasable retaining means upon the opposite surface of the nozzle toretain said pintles in position in said recesses.

19. In a portable electric vacuum il'eaning machine, the combination ofa suctioncreating means, a nozzle in communication therewith, saidnozzle comprising a body part, and adust intake shoe to engage thesurface to be cleansed, a brush in the nozzle,

a shaft for the brush adapted to have bean ings at its ends between thebody part of the shoe and nozzle, and means whereby the shoe may beremoved to release the brush, comprising a plate on the front surfaceoi: the body part of the nozzle having recesses therein, pintles on theshoe to engage said recesses, an auxiliary plate secured to the rearsurface of the shoe having recesses therein, pintles on the rear surfaceof the body part to engage the last-mentioned recesses, and a retainingclamp on the body part of the nozzle to engage said rear plate to securethe shoe in place.

20. In an electric vacuum cleaner the combination of a motor having adrive shaft, a nozzle, a fan casing, a fan in the casing driven by thedrive shaft and in communication with the nozzle, a rotatable brush inthe nozzle, and a driving connection between said driving shaft andbrush, said connection being disposed at a point to the rear of the fancasing and motor, and projecting beneath the latter.

21. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of asubstantially horizontally disposed motor, a tubular casing for themotor having a removable rear end, a fan casing connecting with thefront end of the motor casing, a nozzle to engage a surface to becleansed having an upwardly projecting Wall forming a closure for thefan casing and in direct connnunication therewith, a brush in thenozzle, a fan in the fan casing mounted upon the forward end of themotor shaft, the fan casing having an outlet in the side wall thereof ata point forwardly of the motor, driving gear mechanism operativelyconnected with the rear end of the motor shaft Within the motor casing,and means driven by said driving gear connection and projecting belowthe motor casing and fan casing so as to ofier no projections beyond thesides of the casings and connected with the brush within the nozzleintermediate the ends of the latter for imparting rotatable movementthereto.

22. In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of asubstantially horizontally disposed motor, a tubular casing for themotor having a removable rear end, a fan casing connecting with thefront end of the motor casing, a nozzle to engage a surface to becleansed having an upwaroiy projecting wall forming closure for the fancasing and in direct communication therewith, a brush in the nozzle, afan in the :an casing mounted upon the forward end of the motor shaft,the fan casing having an outlet in the side wall thereof at a pointfor-- \vardly of the motor, driving gear mechanism operatively connectedwith the rear end of the motor shaft within the motor casing, and meansdriven by said driving connection and projecting below the motor casingand fan casing offering no obstruction beyond the sides of the casingand connected with the brush with in the nozzle int -nmdiate the ends ofthe latter for in'ipirting rotatable movement thereto, a casin j for themotor and driving gear mocha; in having a slotted way with an offsetstop, and a lever mounted upon part of said driving connection wherebyto release said connection, said lever adapted in its n'iovement to saidoffset part of the wall of the slot to hold the parts in one position.

23. In a vacuum cleani combination of a substantially disposed motor,having a tubular casing, a fan casing moored to the motor casing at thefront end thereof, an upright nozzle con nected directly to and inconnnunication with the fan casing, the lower end of said nozzleconstituting inlet, a rotatable brush within the nozzle, a shaft for thebrush, a: fan within the casing connected directly with the front end ofthe motor, driving connectious betweei'i the rear end of the motor andthe brush, including a drive member projecting beneath the motor casingand connecting with the brush shaft at a point intermediate the ends ofthe latter, and releasing means for the brush driving means, where-- bythe fan may independently operate.

In a portable electric vacuum cleaning machine, the combination of amotor, a fan casing, a nozzle havin a hollow upward extension connectingdirectly with and in comninnication with the an casing, a rotatablebrush in the nozzle. :1 fan in the fan casing, mounted upon the motorshaft, and an operative drive connection between the motor shaft and thebrush, said last-n'ientioned connection being arranged at the rear endof the motor and having a part projecting below the motor extendinglongitudinally thereof and comic; ing with the brush intermediate theends thereo the apparatus overlying the last-mentioned part so as tocoi'istitute a protecting medium therefor.

In a vacuum cleaner, the cm nation of a substantially horizontallydisposed motor, a fan casing at the front end of the motor, an uprightnozzle having an opening at its bottom, and an opening in its rear wallcommunicating directly with the fan casing. a, rotatable brush withinthe nozzle, a fan in the fan casing directly connected with the forwardend of the motor and actuated thereby, actuating means for the brushconnected directly with. the rear end of the motor and operated thereby,and means disconnecting said actuating means for the brush, whereby thefan may independently operate.

26. In a vacuum cleaner apparatus, the combination of a portable,substantially horizontally disposed motor having zit the limit endthereot a tan easing, an uprightnozzle member connected directly to thetan casing and in eon'm'mnioution therewith, a

shoe to!" the nozzle to engage the surface to he eloemao a rotatablebrush for the nozzle, c'li'ivingg' mechanism for the brush connectedwith the rear end of the motor erl projecting beneath the motor andconnecting with. (he lHHtll substantially midway of the sides thereof,the said shoe and the lower edge of the nozzle having cooperatinghearings for the brush. and said shoe being detachable whereby to permitremoval of the brush and the bmsli-driving -mechanism from the nozzle.

27. In a suction cleaning machine, the combination of a vacuum chamber,a nozzle an elongated rotatable brush in the nozzle, ti drive shaft, afan in the vacuum chamber, "A driving connection between the forward endof the drive shaft and the ten, and a driving connection interposedbetween the opposite end of the drive shaft and brush and connectingWith the brush. I

In testimony whereof I hereunto ai'iik signature.

MORRIS WRIGHT.

